Morning Music Notes – Cue the Staying Alive Puns
Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb Passes Away
As we tweeted last night, we have lost another musical legend. The Bee Gees co-founder, Robin Gibb, has passed away at the age of 62. He had been battling cancer. A statement reads, “The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
The band famously contributed to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and with brother Barry’s falsetto voice, the Bee Gees seemed to rule the disco era (alongside the recently passed away Donna Summer). With hits that almost everyone knows, such as Staying Alive, Jive Talkin’, Night Fever, the band were almost unstoppable. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack was the biggest selling album of all-time until Michael Jackson’s Thriller burst onto the scene (and made the Bee Gees stoppable).
Bee Gees – How Deep is Your Love?
Peter Jones from Crowded House Passes Away
Lost in the shuffle of the death of Robin Gibb is the death of the drummer from Crowded House, Peter Jones. In a statement from the band, “We are in mourning today for the death of Peter Jones. We remember him as a warm hearted, funny and talented man, who was a valuable member of Crowded House. He played with style and spirit. We salute him and send our love and best thoughts to his family and friends.”
Peter didn’t join the band until 1994, meaning he didn’t play on one of my favourite songs from the 1980s, Don’t Dream It’s Over. The band broke up in 1996, and reunited in 2007 and even played Coachella in 2007 when I was there (and I got to hear Don’t Dream It’s Over!….as I walked past the band to another stage). However, Peter Jones didn’t join them on the reunion, so he was just with the band from 1994 to 1996.
Peter actually played on none of their studio albums, and when they released their Greatest Hits in 1996 with 3 new tracks, he didn’t drum on them. Not quite sure what song to pick as a tribute, so I’m going to go with Don’t Dream It’s Over – sorry, Peter – I like it too much.
Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Regrets Not Including Donna Summer
The problem with death, besides the lack of living you get to do, is the fact that everyone now says good things about you. The kind of things that are sort of awkward to randomly say to living people, but the kinds of things you should be saying to people you love and admire. The chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee, Jon Landau, has said that he regrets that Donna Summer has not been inducted (via NME).
“There is absolutely no doubt that the extraordinary Donna Summer belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Regrettably, despite being nominated on a number of occasions, our voting group has failed to recognize her – an error I can only hope is finally and permanently rectified next year.”
Well, now do you feel better, Donna?
Elton John agrees that the snub is ridiculous, saying that it is a “total disgrace. Especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted.”
You’re not talking about yourself, are you Elton?
Bono is Not A Billionaire. Source? Bono
Despite the Internet exploding about Facebook making all of its investors super rich, Bono has shot down claims that he is now a billionaire (via Billboard). Bono said, “Contrary to reports, I’m not a billionaire or going to be richer than any Beatle.”
What about Fred Beatle? He’s barely making minimum wage! Elevation Partners are the investors in Facebook, and they bought a 2.3 percent share of Facebook with their $90 million investment. However, it’s unclear how many people have dipped their finger in that pie. I guess Bono wants to lessen the threat of thieves in his neighbourhood by playing dumb, while he swims in a pool filled with golden coins like Scrooge McDuck.
Data Behind the Drugs Seized at UK Music Festivals
Who wants drugs – well, data on drugs? The hands went down pretty fast with my misleading intro. Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, we can now tell you that the number of drugs seized at UK festivals has declined a lot over the past 3 years (via The Guardian). What this actually means is that the number of drugs successfully being taken and sold has increased, right?
“Between 2009 and 2011 seizures of cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy all fell by over 65% and the total for all substances dropped by a similar margin – from £288,420 to £101,682.”
Check the Guardian article for pretty graphs and full analysis. Or just keep smokin’ that bowl on your couch – I don’t judge.
Pretty sure this guy at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami might’ve been one of the ones that police missed.
Watch! Tenacious D – Low Hangin’ Fruit
I guess when you’re a comedy band like Tenacious D, and you have a movie star as one of your two band members, your strength and appeal lies in the videos you create for your music. This is probably why Tenacious D have unveiled their FOURTH video in the past few months for recent album release, Rize of the Fenix. You’ve seen (or should’ve seen but can see now) To Be the Best, Rize of the Fenix, and The Roadie (starring Danny McBride). You can now watch a video of what juvenile boys like to do with their fruit – make obscene sexual innuendos. Pretty sure Tenacious D are one of the few bands that could pull off this cheesy yet comical video. Bonus points for the terrible wardrobe choices. Check it out and re-enact at home with your fruit bowl (but don’t let your kids catch you). This video might not be suitable for work, depending on the fruit as sexual objects policy at your office.
Tenacious D – Low Hangin’ Fruit
